Portuguese Almond with Almond Butter Sauce

This moist cake with a gorgeous almond topping comes from the sun-drenched Algarve region of Southern Portugal. For a more traditional version of the cake, divide the batter evenly between two 9-inch baking pans and double the recipe for the sauce.  The thinner cakes provide more of a contrast between the moist cake and delightful almond crunch.

 

 

The Cake 🎥

YOU WILL NEED

VANILLA CAKE MIX
WET INGREDIENTS

3 large eggs (189g, weighed with shell)
⅔ cup mild extra-virgin olive oil (134g)
½ cup milk (120g)
⅓ cup heavy cream (80g)
Zest from one large lemon

INSTRUCTIONS
  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9x3-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  • Beat eggs at high speed for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy. With the mixer still running, gradually add the olive oil in a thin drizzle and beat until thick and creamy.
  • Add the milk, heavy cream, lemon zest and vanilla cake mix, then mix on low speed for one minute until well combined.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool in baking pan for about an hour before unmolding.
  • For two smaller cakes: divide the batter evenly between two round 9-inch cake pans greased and lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool in baking pan for about an hour before unmolding.

 

The Sauce 

YOU WILL NEED

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup butter (56g)
¼ cup light brown sugar (50g)
2 tablespoons heavy cream (30g)
½ teaspoon almond extract
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup sliced or slivered almonds

 

INSTRUCTIONS
  • Place butter, sugar and heavy cream in a small saucepan and stir. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-low heat. Simmer on low for about 3-5 minutes until thickened, whisking occasionally.
  • Remove from heat, then stir in extracts and almond slices.
  • Using a skewer, poke holes all over the hot cake (still in the pan).
  • Spread the hot almond topping evenly over the cake then toast it under the broiler for about a minute or two, just until the almonds turn golden brown.

 

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Tips & Methods

Baking Tips

  • Preheat your oven to 325ºF.
  • Grease the recommended pan and line it with parchment paper.
    If using a Bundt pan, apply a baking spray made with flour.
  • For best results, weigh all ingredients and bring them to room temperature.
  • Don’t open the oven door until the cake has set, unless the recipe instructs you to do so.
  • Your cake is done when it begins to shrink from the sides of the pan, springs back when touched or when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • Let your cake cool for 5-10 minutes before taking it out of the pan.
  • Cooled plain cakes (without frosting or pastry cream) can be double-wrapped first in cling film, then in aluminum foil and refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.
    To defrost a frozen cake, simply place the wrapped cake in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
  • Store plain or glazed cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or up to a week in the refrigerator.
  • Store frosted cakes and cakes baked with pastry cream in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Olive Oil Cake Method

  • Pre-heat your oven to 325ºF.
  • Grease the recommended cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
    If using a Bundt pan, apply a baking spray made with flour.
  • In a separate bowl, beat room temperature eggs at high speed for 3-5 minutes, then add mild extra virgin olive oil in a slow, steady drizzle until thick and creamy.
  • Add remaining wet ingredients and the cake mix to the egg mixture and mix until combined, stopping to scrape down the bowl. Do not overmix.
  • Gently mix stir ins into batter until well combined.
  • Scrape batter into prepared pan(s) and sprinkle with toppings.
  • Bake immediately following the guidelines in the recipe. Cool in baking pan for 5-10 minutes before unmolding.
  • Cool cake completely before frosting.

Vegan Olive Oil Cake Method

  • Pre-heat your oven to 325ºF.
  • Grease the recommended cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  • Stir all wet ingredients together.
  • Place cake mix in a large bowl. Slowly add the liquid blend to the cake mix while mixing with a hand-held whisk until well combined.
  • Mix stir ins (nuts, berries, chopped fruit, chocolate chips etc.) into batter until just blended.
  • Scrape batter into prepared pan(s) and sprinkle with toppings (e.g. sliced almonds)
  • Bake immediately following the guidelines in the recipe.
  • Cool in baking pan for about 10 minutes before unmolding.
  • Cool cake completely before frosting.